104 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

wraps, that she might be protected from the night air, in
case her eyes did close in slumber despite her will.

The wind had freshened considerably ; but under such
a scanty supply of canvas as the brig was, there would
have been no necessity for shortening it even if a gale
had sprung up, and Ben considered the advisability of
attempting to show more sail, despite the small crew at
his command.

He decided against anything of the kind, however, in
view of the fact that it could not be taken in at short
notice by his three sailors, and forced himself to be
content with the slow but safe progress the brig was
then making.

The Chinese were lying on the deck near the galley,
curled up like rats in a spare sail, and from certain nasal
sounds which proceeded from the kitchen, it was evident
Uncle Eliphalet’s fears had been soothed by slumber.

To Ben’s satisfaction, Miss Dunham was finally forced
to yield to the embrace of the drowsy god, and during
the last four hours of the night she slept as peacefully
as if in her own room below.

The young captain was running by the chart, and had
no need of his alleged pilot’s services until they should
draw nearer their destination ; therefore, so far as could be
seen, he was not only in command, but had sole care of
the brig during the greater portion of the hours of
darkness.

Miss Dunham awakened when the first rays of the
rising sun glinted the waters with a golden radiance, and,